There's something about becoming an octogenarian that makes you want to have a party. And Richard Meucci's recent 80th birthday party was as impressive as the man himself.

Richard looks much younger than his eight decades would suggest. He sports a slim build, a full head of silver hair, an engaging smile and the visage of a gracefully aging movie star.

Richard and his wife Kay live in Summerset II, where they have become well known for their active lifestyle, community volunteer efforts and for throwing parties in their spacious home, such as the New Year's Eve bash they threw in 2006.

Richard's birthday party occurred on Sunday, March 2, when 90 guests gathered to help him make merry, cut cake and eat a sumptuous spread of Mexican dishes accompanied by an incredible assortment of canapes, appetizers and desserts.

The party was Kay's idea and her birthday present to Richard, who became her husband in 1998. At that time, they both lived in Summerset I, where they settled after their spouses passed away. The Meuccis are a perfect example of love found in later life after moving to an active adult community like Summerset. They met while playing cards and, as the saying goes, "The rest is history."

Richard Meucci was born in Oak Park, Ill. on February 28, 1928. Almost a Leap Year baby, Richard's mother tried to hold out but couldn't wait another six hours. He attended Chicago City College and received his professional engineering license in 1960.

Richard worked for some of the largest design, engineering and construction firms in the nation and rose to become vice president of one company then, later, took a position managing 700 design engineers. He and his first wife were married in 1949 and came west in 1969, where they settled in Sunnyvale after experiencing the real estate price shock many midwesterners feel upon moving to the West Coast. His wife passed away in 1995 and Richard, then retired, moved to Summerset I, where he would begin a new life.

According to Hoyt Huggins, a friend of the Meuccis for nine years, "They are an amazing couple - just really good people. Richard is like a 60-year-old instead of 80. They love to travel and throw parties. His birthday celebration was a hell of a party."